Pace Of Play Tips
Pace Of Play Tips
In general, golfers are much more concerned with how fast or slow you’re playing compared to how your playing. Pace of play is a growing problem on golf courses. It’s every golfers responsibility to do their best to get around a golf course in a timely manner. Think of a golf course as a one-way road. The cars behind the lead car can only go as fast as that car. One slow group or golfer on a course can put a damper on everyone’s round behind them. The next time you play a round I encourage you to play “Ready Golf”. Everyone on the course, including yourself, will benefit from this. Here are some tips to help you to become more efficient on the course:
- Limit your practice swings to one swing and your pre-shot routine to under 20 seconds.
- Choose the set of tees best-suited for your game based on Handicap (For example: 0-6: Green Tees, 7-14: Blue Tees, 15 – 21: White Tees, 22+: Gold Tees).
- Write down your scores on or near the next teeing ground so the green is clear for the group behind you.
- When sharing a golf car, always drop off the first player to hit so the second player can prepare for their shot and be ready to hit when it’s their turn.
- Place golf cars, bags, and clubs off the putting green in the direction of the next hole.
- Watch your ball carefully after you hit each shot, especially on difficult holes to find golf balls.
- When going to your ball, bring the club you think you’re going to hit plus one club more and less to make sure you’ll have the proper club.
- Putt out when possible, especially the short ones. Also, read your putt while others are putting so you’re ready to go when it’s your turn.
- Check the clock before you tee off and upon finishing each hole to see if you’re on the 4:30 pace.
- Play “ready golf” when possible– whoever is ready first, hits first.
**The goal is for you to enjoy your round of golf in 4 hours and 30 minutes (15 minutes per hole) or LESS, preferably closer to 4 hours.**
Like this:
3 Comments »
Leave a Reply
About
KYLE VOSKA, PGA PROFESSIONAL
I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from St. Michael’s, St. Xavier, and Miami University. After graduating from Miami with a Finance degree, I moved to Florida to pursue my professional golf dreams. After a few successful years and a couple of difficult years, I stopped playing full-time. After a year of caddying on the LPGA Tour for Young Jo, Kim Williams, and Angela Stanford, I moved back home to Cincinnati. Currently, I live near Sharonville with my lovely wife, Lindsay, our kids, Maclin and Ellie, and our dog, Nora.
Teaching golf for over a year in Florida and having taken and watched many lessons from PGA Certified Master Teaching Professional Carl Rabito, becoming a golf instructor was something I really wanted to do. Fortunately, I was able to find a home at Sharon Woods Golf Course in Cincinnati, my old home from the 90′s, to further this new career path. As I enter my 6th season as a golf professional, I’m excited how my role is taking shape. I assist in managing and supervising a staff of nearly 40 while teaching golf lessons to over a 100 students. Hopefully, someday I’ll have the opportunity to mentor some future golf professionals like myself.
Email: kvoska@hotmail.com
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- PGA Member – June, 2009
- 2008 PGA National Assistants Champion
- 43 Professional Tournament Victories
- 2010 Southern Ohio PGA Section Player-of-the-Year
- 2010 Southern Ohio PGA Southwest Chapter Player-of-the-Year
- 2009 Cincinnati Chapter Match Play Champion
- 2009 Southern Ohio PGA Assistant’s Champion
- 2001 and 2010 Southern Ohio PGA Open Champion
- 2000 PGA Buick Open Contestant
- 1998 Miami Athlete-of-the-Year
- 2-Time NCAA Division I All-American
- Mid-American Conference Sportsman and Player-of-the Year (1998)
- 2-Time Cincinnati Met Amateur Champion (1997, 1998)
- Cincinnati Met Amateur Medalist and Runner-Up (1996)
- NCAA low scoring average on Par 3′s (2.91) in 1998
- Low competitive round – 62 (3 times): Four Bridges CC (’01), Oasis CC (’09), and Juniper Hills GC (’02)
- Low non-competitive round – 61: Browns Run CC – White tees
- Won a 54-hole Developmental Players Tour event by 9 shots shooting 19 under par with no bogies (64,64,69)
- 4 career Holes-in-One and 3 career double eagles
MY PGA MENTORS:
Tom Bach – Head Professional at Sharon Woods Golf Course
George Long – Kenwood CC PGA Professional/Head Pro at The Mill Course (17 Years)
Carl Rabito – PGA Certified Master Teaching Professional (Top 100 Instructor)
Mike Bender – 2009 PGA National Teacher-of-the-Year (Top 100)
Craig Shankland – 2001 PGA National Teacher-of-the-Year (Top 100)
Jim Suttie, Ph.D - 2000 PGA National Teacher-of-the-Year (Top 100)
Bill Madonna – Bill Madonna Golf Academy (Top 100)
Andrew Park – The David Leadbetter Golf Academy
Chris Toulson – Jim McLean Golf School at Doral
As you can see, I’ve been very fortunate to have learned from some of the best PGA Professionals in the country. I feel privileged to pass on the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained from spending time with these great gentlemen.
I sometimes find myself a little over this mark when I try to play well but as my game improves so does my time.
You’re not alone. It’s very normal to slow down if you’re not playing well because your then thinking about how to fix yourself. It’s easy to have a sound and efficient routine when things are going well.
If you’re struggling or overthinking on the course, try to focus on one simple thought and go with it. Committing 100% to one thought should clear your mind and allow you to play better.
Kyle, Thanks for the article and your efforts to help with the pace of play problems our game suffers from. Check out Fourundergolf.com, and the book – The Return of the Four Hour Round. And – make sure all of your students do the same! Bringing an end to Global Slowing is going to take all of us to do what we can. Thanks again… PAT